Lighting device for instrument panels



Dec. 6, 1960 7 F. J. ROGGAN v LIGHTING'DEVICE FOR INSTRUMENT PANELS Filed Feb. 11, 1957 w 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I M l Eh/T'O e.-

FRHNCIS J. Rose/w,

Arron/v5 Y6 Dec. 6, 196 F. .1. ROGGAN 2,963,571

LIGHTING DEVICE FOR INSTRUMENT PANELS Filed Feb. 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 118 IA/I/EA/TOEJ FRANCIS J- Pusan/J,

United States Pa entO LIGHTING DEVICE FOR INSTRUMENT PANELS Francis J. Roggan, Tonawanda, N.Y., assignor to Glar- Ban Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 11, 1957, Ser. No. 639,334

4 Claims. (Cl. 240--8.16)

This invention relates to improvements in lighting devices and in particular is concerned with a lighting device for illuminating instrument dials on instrument panels and the like.

.In the past, the problem of lighting instrument dials has been that there is usually a glare emanating from the surface of the dial, which is undesirable to the observer 1 diflicult to install and maintain.

By means of the instant invention, there has been provided a lighting device which may be simply employed with existing instrument panels. The device is a molded plastic mounting in the form of a cylinder which can be conveniently inserted in a bolt hole or like opening adjacent an instrument dial to direct light through a prism and light source from the mounting on the instrument dial without glare. A cover for the mounting is provided through which the light is directed through the prism in an angular manner downwardly on the face of the instrument dial for complete illumination thereof. The mounting is provided with a socket which is adapted to extend through the rear of the instrument panel for reception of a lighting cord, and adjustment is provided so that the level of the light directed from the mounting may be adjusted with respect to the panel.

The mounting is particularly adaptedto be used through ready insertion in existing bolt holes or holes which may be simply drilled in the panel for complete illumination of all the dials through the use of as many individual mountings as are required. The installation is extremely simple and can be easily effected by unskilled workmen with a minimum of time and expense. Further, through the ready accessibility of the lighting device,

service may be had at any time for replacement of burned out light bulbs or for other maintenance.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a lighting device for illuminating an instrument dial through light directed from the exterior of the panel on the dial.

A further object of this invention is to provide individual lighting devices which may be mounted on an instrument panel adjacent an instrument dial to direct light on the face of the dial with a minimization of glare.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lighting device which is self-contained and which may be inserted through bolt holes or the like in an instrument panel adjacent an instrument dial for individual lighting of the instrument dial. a

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lighting device for illumination of individual dials on an instrument panel which is self-contained and which has provisions for varying the height of the light directed on the instrument'panel through spacing elements.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an illuminating device for instrument dials which comprises a self-contained unit employing a light source properly directed upon a prism for controlling the angular disposition of the beam of directed light on the instrument dial.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a selfcontained lighting device having a light directing means which is situated exteriorly of the instrument panel when the device is installed on the panel through a conventional bolt hole or the like and in which electrical connections are adapted to be made through a socket forming part of the securing means for the device and which extends to the rear of the panel.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a selfcontained lighting device which may be used adjacent each instrument dial on an instrument panel and which may be simply installed through a bolt hole or flange hole, or the like, adjacent each dial in a minimum of time and which is rugged in construction and simple to service and relatively inexpensive in cost.

Further objects of this invention will appear in the .detailed description which follows and will be further apparent to those skilled in the art.

There is shown in the accompanying drawings an embodiment and a modification of this invention for the purpose of illustration. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown, but is of broad application, as will appear in the description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the lighting device;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the cap;

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation of the cover element;

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of the spring clip used as a securing and electrical connection;

Figure 8 is an elevation view taken partly in section showing the lighting device mounted on an instrument panel to direct light upon an instrument dial;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view showing the lighting device installed in illuminating positions adjacent several instrument dials on an instrument panel;

Figure 10 is a top plan view of a modified cap and cover which may be employed in the lighting device of Figures 1 through 8;

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of the cap and cover of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the cap of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section taken similarly to Figure 4 showing the modified cap and a modified construction of the top rear rim of the cover to provide for ventilation;

Figure 14 is a pictorial view of a further modified integral cover;

Figure 15 is a view in vertical section through the axis of a modified lighting device;

Figure 16 is a top plan view of the lighting device base of Figure 15 with an insulator in place and with the cover removed; and

paten ed Dec. 6, 1960 Figure 17 is a pictorial view of a modified retaining spring.

The lighting device of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8. It includes as its main components a base 11, a cover 12, and a cap 13.

The base 11 is constructed of suitable light-weight black plastic such as nylon, and has two main portions which are an upper bulb receivingportion 14 and a lower panel securing portion 15. The upper portion 14 is cylindrical in form and is adapted to rece.ve a light bulb 16 and the cover 12. The lower portion is of reduced diameter and is provided with threads 17 to receive an adjusting nut 18, a lock washer 19 and a series of washers 20 for proper spacing and adjustment of the device, as will later appear. The lower portion 15 is molded with an axial opening in which there is interfitted at the lower portion a metallic pin 21. This pin is provided with a tapering opening 22 at the bottom for the reception by friction of an electrical lead wire 23 for connection of the lighting device to a source of battery or electrical power. Disposed within the axial opening of the lower portion 15 and supported on the top of the pin 21 is a metallic spring 25 which urges a bulb contact element 26 against the underneath side of the bulb 16 to maintain a firm electrical contact.

The cover 12. has a securing lower portion 31 which is of reduced diameter compared to an upper light enclosing portion 32 so that the cover may be received within the upper portion 14 of the base in nesting relation as best appears in Figure 4. It will further be noted that, when the cover 12 is fitted within the upper portion of the base, the bottom edge of the lower portion 31 fits on the top of the bulb flange 33 which serves as an upward limit for the bulb which is biased thereagainst due to the force of the spring 25.

The upper portion 32 of the cover has outwardly tapering walls as best appears in Figure 5, which at the right side are joined together by a prism supporting base wall 34. Asappears in Figure 4, this base wall is provided with upwardly extending ledges 35 and 36 to receive a prism 37 therein. Also spaced from the upwardly extending ledge 36 is a further ledge 38 which receives a filter plate 39.

The filter plate 39 is designed to provide a given color to the transmitted light leaving the prism and for this purpose it may be colored red to give a red light, amber to give an amber light, etc., as may be desired. The prism 37 has an angularly disposed slanting light collecting face 41 and a substantially perpendicular light projecting face 42. This prism, made of transparent material, will direct the light projected from the light projecting face 42 downwardly, as will be described in connection with Figure 8, to reduce glare to an observer.

In order to securely attach the cover to the upper portion of the base, a spring clip generally designated by the reference numeral 44 is provided. This clip has a base 43 which is in the form of a washer and has two upwardly extending arms 45 terminating in detent portions 46. When the spring clip is placed on the bottom of the upper portion 14 of the base, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the detent portion 46 in both arms will pass through registering openings 47 provided on opposed sides of the upper portion of the base and openings 48 likewise provided on opposed sides of the bottom portion of the cover. When this registration is effected, the detent portions 46 will fit through the openings and maintain the upper portion of the base and the lower portion of the cover in secure relationship, and it will further be noted that the detent portions will bear, through a spring action, against the exterior of the metallic socket of the bulb 16 to establish firm ground connection from said socket through the spring clip and to the panel upon which the spring clip will bear, as will further appear.

The cap 13 like the base 11 and cover 12 is made of a molded black plastic and has generally the same plan view configuration as that of the upper portion 32 of the cover as will appear in Figures 1, 4 and 5. It has a domed recess 49 to receive the top of the bulb and is provided with a downwardly depending flange 50 around a portion of its periphery which nests within a groove 51 at the top of the upper portion of the cover for secure positioning. Extending to the front of the cap is a wall portion 52 which is provided with a groove 53 for the reception of the top of the filter 39. There is further provided a downwardly depending flange 54 which bears against the top side of the light projecting face 42 of the prism to maintain it in proper positional relationship.

In Figure 13, a modified cap generally indicated by the reference numeral is shown. This cap is similar to the cap 13 in most respects but has means for providing ventilation between the cap and the cover as particularly shown in Figure 13. Thus the cap 80, similarly to the cap 13, is provided with the dome 49, a groove 53 for receiving the filter 39 and a downwardly depending flange 54 for retaining the prism. It will be noted, however, that the rear portion has two outwardly extending ear elements 81 and 82 which extend beyond the upper rim of the cover while the sides of the upper rim of the cover, as shown in Figure 10, nest closely with the sides of the cap, the cap being retained on the ledge of the upper rim of said cover. In the modified cap 80, the rear portion is provided with a recess 83 in the bottom as appears in Figures 12 and 13. By virtue of this construction, as is particularly shown in Figure 13, a path for ventilation to prevent overheating from the heat generated by the bulb is provided from the interior of the cover underneath the rear of the cap through the recess to the outer atmosphere.

In Figures 14 through 17, a modified lighting device is illustrated andis generally indicated by the reference numeral 100. The modified lighting assembly is shown mounted upon a dial base 101 through a bolt hole 102 provided in the dial base and is secured to a panel 103.

The major components of the modified lighting assembly comprise a base 106, a cover 107, a light bulb 108 and an insulating member 109. Generally speaking, the light assembly 100 is adapted to be connected to the panel 103 in a similar manner to that above described for the lighting assembly 10, either adjacent a dial as shown in Figure 8, or within a bolt hole provided in the dial mounting, as shown in Figure 15.

The base 106 may be turned out of metal or other similar material of construction and has an elongated lower portion 110. This is provided with a stepped recess which receives the plastic insulating member 109, as particularly shown in Figure 15. Further, the lower end of the lower base portion 110 is threaded to receive a lock washer 112 and a nut 113. An axial opening is provided through the lower portion to receive a wire 114 connected to a metallic contact plate 115 with the other end of the wire being adapted to be connected to a power source. 7 V

The upper portion of the base 106 has an opening to receive thelight bulb 108 and it is further provided with a spring slot 117 to receive a portion of a retaining spring 118. The retaining spring 118 is shown particularly in Figure 17 and is seen to have a curved bottom portion 119 which fits around a bottom stepped portion of the upper part of the base 106, as shown in Figure 15. Extending upwardly from the bottom portion 119 of the retaining spring is a retaining portion 121 provided with detents. The retaining portion 121 of the spring fits through the spring slot 117 and nests with a groove 122 of the light bulb to provide firm grasping contact.

To complete the electrical circuit to the light bulb, it will be seen that the insulator element 109 has a stepped upper recess which receives the contact element is made integral.

115 and also an electrical contact spring 123 which urges a bulb contact element 124 into an electrical contact with the bottom of the light bulb.

In order to provide for proper assembly of the base when it is mounted upon the panel 103 and to firmly connect it with the nut 113, screw driver slots 125 are provided in the upper portion of the base 106, as shown in Figure 16 and in dotted lines in Figure 15. This provides for reception of a screw driver whereby the base may be firmly tightened within the bolt hole of the dial.

The cover 107, which may be made of stamped metal and other similar materials of construction, is generally similar to the cap and cover shown in Figures 1 through 7, with the exception that the cover of this modification The cover receives a filter element 39' and a prism 37' similarly to the first described embodiment. However, these light transmitting elements are retained within the front portion of the cover by sealing gaskets. Thus the filter element 39 is retained by a gasket 131 which is roughened and blackened to absorb stray light rays and increase the eificiency of the light pattern. Similarly, the modified prism 37 is retained by gaskets 132 and 133 which are likewise roughened and blackened to absorb stray light rays. A spacing element 134 may be provided between the light filter 39 and the prism 37' and this also serves to block off undesirable light rays between the filter and the light collecting face of the prism.

To providefor proper positioning upon the base, the

' lower portion of the cover has a slightly recessed crimp 136, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. This receives a detented portion of the spring part 121 and positions the cover in the desired direction and also provides for firm connection of the cover to the base.

It is to be understood as has been indicated above that either of the lighting assemblies or 100 may be used adjacent to a dial, as shown in Figure 8, or within a bolt hole in the dial mounting as shown in Figure 15. Thus, the lighting device 100 could be used adjacent the dial as shown in Figure 8 with the use of proper spacing washers 20.

Use

The lighting device 10 is shown in use in Figures 8 and 9. In these figures, it is shown disposed to one side of an instrument dial 60 and a panel which in Figure 8 is designated by the numeral 61. V

To install the lighting device 10 on the panel 61 such as shown in Figure 8, the adjustment nut 18 is first removed together with any spacing washers 20 that are desired to effectuate the proper positioning of the light above the dial. Thus, as shown in Figure 8, only two washers 20 are disposed on the top of the panel 61 while a remaining washer 20 is disposed on the reverse side together with the locking washer 19, after which the hexagonal adjusting nut 18 is screwed up tight. It is obvious that, if the lighting device were desired to be raised with respect to the face of the instrument dial 60, more washers 20 would be used between the panel 61 and the bottom of the upper portion 14 of the base.

After the lighting device has been installed as shown in Figure 8, an electrical wire 23 having a bayonet end or other rigid terminal portion is forcefully inserted within the tapering opening 22 in a secure friction fit.

When so installed, the rays of light directed from the bulb through the prism 37 will be angularly directed between the limits of the lines 62 and 63 from about 4 to 45 below the horizon, downwardly upon the face of the dial, with substantially no glare being visible by an observer. Thus, an observer looking into the exterior of the prism will not experience any glare. The angular direction of the projected rays of light between the limits '62 and 63 may be controlled by varying the relationship of the light collecting face 41 of the prism with respect to the,ligh t projecting face 42, to offer many combinations of directional projection as disclosed in my copending joint application Serial No. 301,732, filed July 30, 1952. It will further be noted that a portion of the light from the bulb will not enter the prism, but will instead be reflected from the hypotenuse side of the prism. This reflected light is plane-polarized and creates a partial screening effect within the sealed light bulb chamber.

The filter 39 may be employed to provide a desired colored light and to effectuate this a red filter may be employed for a red light, an amber filter for an amber light, and a blue filter for a blue light, etc. If a plain white light is desired, the filter 39 may be entirely omitted.

Should the light bulb 16 burn out or should it be desired to replace it with a stronger or lesser intensity bulb, the spring clip 44 may be spread apart to remove the detent portions 46 from the registering holes on the upper portion of the base and the lower portion of the cover. This may be effected by removing the cap and pulling the bulb away from the bulb receiving portion. The spring clip 44 will spread apart to permit removal of the bulb. When this has been done, the cover may be simply removed and another bulb inserted within the top portion of the base.

It will be noted that the bulb employed is so positioned with respect to the light projecting face 41 of the prism that a complete centering is effected whereby substantially all portions of the light projecting face of the prism have the same amount of light from the bulb directed thereupon. This provides for equal distribution of light in a very efficient manner. Also, as mentioned above, the cap and cover as well as the base are made of plastic which is black. This is a dull black which serves to provide a black body effect and thereby absorb erratic rays of scattered light to keep them from being directed onto the prism at an undesired angle.

It will be readily apparent that the lighting device of this invention can be employed on an instrument panel to light dials of various sizes in any desirable manner. Thus, as shown in Figure 9, an instrument panel 70 is provided with three dials 71, 72 and 73 of increasing sizes. To provide for full lighting of these dials, lighting devices of this invention are indicated in various illuminating positions. Thus, a lighting device 74 may be used singly for the small dial 71. For larger dials the lighting device may'be designed for greater illumination, or alternatively a plurality of devices may be employed. Thus, a diametrically opposed pair of lightingdevices 75 and 76 may be employed to provide a high intensity light for the larger dial 72 and a pair of lighting devices 77 and 78 may be employed at one side as shown for the dial 73 to provide a wide scope of illumination.

The lighting device is adapted to be used similarly to the lighting device 10. It is installed in a somewhat similar manner with the base being first connected to the dial mounting and the panel 103 by insertion therethrough and tightening the nut 113. A screw driver may be used in the screw driver slots to provide for proper positioning and tightening. After the base has been mounted with the spring in the proper position and extending through the slot 117 to retain the light bulb in place, the cover may be simply pushed onto the top of the base portion and the spring will automatically be received into the recessed crimp portion 136 of the cover when the cover is in proper registry.

The modified lighting device 100 may be used similarly to the above described usages in Figure 8 or in Figure 9, as will be obvious. It will be noted that there is a change in the ground return for the modified lighting assembly 100 as compared to the lighting assembly 10, since the ground return for the lighting assembly 100, as shown in Figure 15, may be from the casing of the bulb through the spring 118 and then to the panel 103 either through the lower portion of the base or through the body of the the same as that for the lighting assembly 10, and it differs only in its specific construction.

Through this invention, there has been provided a unitary and self-contained lighting device which may be very simply installed adjacent practically any dial on an instrument panel for full illumination thereof. The device is rugged in construction and simple to maintain for service and is fully adjustable to provide a desired range of illumination.

Various changes and modifications may be made as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope of this invention, as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A lighting device adapted to be removably mounted upon a panel adjacent a surface to be illuminated, said device comprising a base and a cover arranged in the form of a column, said base including a bulb supported in an upper bulb receiving portion and a lower panel securing portion, and said cover including means for removably connecting it to a top of the bulb receiving portion, said last named means including an electrically conductive metallic element having a base portion adapted to be in electrical contact with the panel and an arm portion having means for securing together the upper bulb receiving portion and the cover and establishing electrical contact with the jacket of the bulb to provide a ground through the panel.

2. A lighting device adapted to be removably mounted upon a panel adjacent a surface to be illuminated, said device comprising a base and a cover arranged in the form of a column, said base including a bulb supported in an upper bulb receiving portion and a lower panel securing portion, said panel securing portion comprising an elongated body and having means for securing it adjacent said surface and having means for receiving an electrical connection from the rear of said panel, said means including an electrically conducting pinhaving a tapering opening at the bottom of said securing portion adapted to receive an electrical lead in a friction fit, and said cover including means for removably connecting it to a top of the bulb receiving portion, said last named means including an electrically conductive metallic element having a base portion adapted to be in electrical contact with the panel and an arm portion having means for securing together the upper bulb receiving portion and the cover and establishing electrical contact with the jacket of the bulb to provide a ground through the panel.

3. A lighting device adapted to be removably mounted upon a panel adjacent a surface to be illuminated, said device comprising a base and a cover arranged in the form of a column, said base including a bulb supported in an upper bulb receiving portion and a lower panel securing portion, said base being made of metal and being provided with an interior insulating member, said cover being integral and overlying the bulb received in the bulb receiving portion and having light directing means therein, means for removably connecting the cover to the base including an electrically conductive metallic element engaging the bulb in electrical contact and separate biasing means in separate electrical contact with the bulb and an electrical connection passing through the insulating member to form an electrical circuit through the bulb with said metallic element.

4. A lighting device adapted to be removably mounted upon a panel adjacent a surface to be illuminated, said device comprising a base and a cover arranged in the form of a column, said base including a bulb supported in an upper bulb receiving portion and a lower panel securing portion, said base being made of metal and being provided with an interior insulating member, said cover being integral and overlying the bulb received in the bulb receiving portion and having a light controlling prism secured therein, means for removably connecting the cover to the base including an electrically conductive metallic element engaging the bulb in electrical contact, said metallic element having means for separately retaining the bulb and cover to the base, and separate biasing means in separate electrical contact with the bulb and an electrical connection passing through the insulating member to form an electrical circuit through the bulb with said metallic element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,210,673 Mould Jan. 2, 1917 1,485,932 Kerwin Mar. 4, 1924 1,937,585 Luxmore Dec. 5, 1933 2,259,910 Rylsky Oct. 21, 1941 2,290,665 Arnesen July 21, 1942 2,437,522 Handler Mar. 9, 1948 2,677,045 MacArthur Apr. 27, 1954 2,820,885 Neugass Jan. 21, 1958 

